uring our stay in Olhão, after several meals based on Portuguese cuisine, we decided to try Peperoncini – Cucina Pizzeria Italiana, located close to the Mercado de Olhão.
It turned out to be a good choice.
The pizzas were well prepared, with a light dough, a crisp base and good-quality ingredients. They were balanced rather than overloaded with toppings, and the overall standard was clearly above average. While we found a couple of pizzerias elsewhere in Spain slightly better, this was still one of the best Italian meals we had in Portugal.
The location also deserves a mention. Being directly beside the historic market creates a pleasant atmosphere, especially in the evening when local people and visitors fill the surrounding streets. It is an easy restaurant to reach on foot after exploring the waterfront or returning from the islands of the Ria Formosa.
Service was friendly and efficient throughout the meal. The staff were welcoming without being intrusive, and everything arrived in good time despite the restaurant being busy.
One interesting curiosity is that the Mercados de Olhão, beside the restaurant, opened in 1916 and remain among the Algarve’s best-known market buildings. The two distinctive red-brick halls continue to sell fresh fish landed only a short distance away, making this one of Portugal’s most authentic fishing markets.
Another little-known fact is that Olhão has one of the strongest Mediterranean influences in Portugal. The white cubic houses surrounding the market were inspired by North African architecture, giving the old town a character that is noticeably different from many other Algarve towns.
For us, Peperoncini was a restaurant we would happily return to. Good pizzas, a pleasant setting beside the market and consistently friendly service made it an excellent place to end a day exploring Olhão.